Esoteric Christianity refers to the occult study
and the mystic living of the esoteric knowledge related to what
adherents view as the "inner teachings" of early Christianity, seen as a
Mystery religion. The term is originally associated with the Essenes and
later with the Rosicrucians.

Modern-day scholars believe that the foundational teachings of Esoteric
Christianity were held secret by the Essenes and the early Christians until
publicly presented to the world in the early 20th century in an effort to
establish a future universal religion as mankind, with a more developed mind
and will, walk forward to the understandings of universal Brotherhood. Its
central aim is to aid each human being in his/her task of developing the
"Golden Wedding Garment": the Christ Within that must be born.

The Christ Within is defined as Paul of Tarsus' "soma psuchicon",
meaning soul body, needed by each individual in order to be able to enter
and permanently live in the next Sixth Epoch's etheric environment (new
heavens and a new earth): the New Galilee.

These teachings are also believed to enable each individual to understand
the mystery of life, that is, the mystery of death, eliminating the fear of
it and are preparing human beings for in due time, as the Sun enters
Aquarius by precession, to start seeing among themselves their true inner
being.

This is done according to the words "For nothing is secret, that shall not
be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come
abroad." (Luke 8:17; KJV) and it is knowledge that had to wait its
own time to be grasped by our own mind, as Christ spoke: "I have yet many
things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now." (John 16:12).

It is also referred in Esoteric Christianity that there are, and always have
been, those being prepared towards Initiation - into the Lesser Mysteries,
the secrets concerning the Science of Life and Being, in the spiritual
worlds by the Hierophants of the seven invisible Lesser Mystery Schools -
through harmonious development of the mind (occultist) and the heart
(mystic) in a spirit of unselfishness service to mankind and an
all-embracing altruism.

According to Max Heindel the door of a genuine Mystery School is not
unlocked by a golden key, but is only opened as a reward for meritorious
service to humanity. "The true pupil of any Mystery School is far too modest
to advertise the fact, he will scorn all titles or honors from men, he will
have no regard for riches save the riches of love given to him by those whom
it becomes his privilege to help and teach."

Biblical Foundations

The Way: "Ego sum Via, Veritas et Vita"

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh
unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6; KJV)

The Esoteric Knowledge

He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the
mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. (Matthew
13:11)

And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of
God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing
they might not understand. (Luke 8:10)

The Mystic Living (the heart)

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him
deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. (Matthew 16:24)

And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny
himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. (Luke 9:23)

The Occult Study (the mind)

And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as
little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew
18:3)

Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a
little child, he shall not enter therein. (Mark 10:15)

20th century Writings

The Western world is undoubtedly the vanguard of the human race, and, it is
held by the Rosicrucian that neither Judaism nor "popular Christianity," but
true Esoteric Christianity is to be its world-religion. (Max Heindel in The
Rosicrucian Cosmo-Conception, 1909; Rosicrucian Fellowship)

This is the Way of the Divine Wisdom, the true THEOSOPHY. It is not, as some
think, a diluted version of Hinduism, or Buddhism, or Taoism, or of any
special religion. It is Esoteric Christianity as truly as it is Esoteric
Buddhism, and belongs equally to all religions, exclusively to none. (Annie
Besant, Esoteric Christianity or The Lesser Mysteries, 1914, Theosophical
Society)

In Christianity, too, especially as far as its central point, the Mystery of
Golgotha, is concerned, we must make a distinction between exoteric
conceptions and esoteric knowledge. An exoteric contemplation of
Christianity, accessible to all the world, is contained in the Gospels. Side
by side with this exoteric contemplation, there has always been an esoteric
Christianity for those who were willing - as I have said before - to prepare
their hearts and minds in an adequate way for the reception of an esoteric
Christianity. (Rudolf Steiner, Exoteric and Esoteric Christianity, 1922,
Anthroposophical Society)

If this inner doctrine were always concealed from the masses, for whom a
simpler code had been devised, is it not highly probable that the exponents
of every aspect of modern civilization--philosophic, ethical, religious, and
scientific-are ignorant of the true meaning of the very theories and tenets
on which their beliefs are founded? Do the arts and sciences that the race
has inherited from older nations conceal beneath their fair exterior a
mystery so great that only the most illumined intellect can grasp its
import? Such is undoubtedly the case.